Torpedo deflector



Nov. 2, 1943. A. A. JUBIE 2,333,380

TORPEDO DEFLECTOR Filed July 10, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor I 7 r 9 By W m Patented Nov. 2, 1943 UNITED STAT es PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The invention relates to means to prevent a torpedo from striking a boat and bein exploded by impact against the hull ofthe boat, and more particularly to shock absorbing and deflecting means for mountin on the sides of the boat for cushioning theforwar'dmoti'on of the torpedo and deflecting the same in a direction rearwardly of the boat so as to cause the torpedo to harmlessly take a course away from and to the rear of the boat, the primary object of the invention being to provide an arrangement of this character which can be installed on a boat without substantial mechanical change in the structure of the boat.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description taken in connection with the appended drawings, wherein for purposes of illustration a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view in top plan showing the bow portion of a boat equipped in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional View taken through Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the deflector bars.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 5 generally designates the hull of a boat having the bow portion 6. Supported along the bow portion and along the opposite sides of the hull are deflector units 1 consisting of upper and lower continuous sprocket chains 8 and 9, respectively, which at regular intervals have links I0, illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings having upper and lower vertical flanges H which are bolted as indicated by the numeral l2 to the flange l3 of angle irons M which include the laterally outwardly projecting flange IS, the space between the flanges and around the edges of the flanges being filled by a spherical segmental cushion l6 of rubber or other suitable material, the curved surface 1 thereof facing laterally and rearwardly.

Below the upper sprocket chain 8 and above the lower sprocket chain 9 the deflector bars I4 have upper and lower track brackets l8 and I3, respectively, which ride on the upper edges of the flanges of upper and lower tracks and 2|, respectively, which are suitably supported, as

shown, to bear the weight of the deflector bars [4.

At the opposite ends'of the chains aresprocket wheels which are fixed on depending shafts 22 and 23', which are-shownin Figure 3 as laterally displaced with respect to the sideof the hull 5, the outer sprocket shafts 22 terminating adjacent the upper sprockets while the inner sprocket shafts 23 extend between the sprockets. The sprocket shafts are mounted in vertical portions 24 and 25 of upper and lower shock absorber brackets 26 and 21, respectively, which are horizontally and laterally inwardly and outwardly movable in hydraulic shock absorbing cylinders 29 and 30 which are mounted at vertically spaced points on the side of the hull 5, so that the deflectors are positioned sufficiently below the water line of the hull and rise sufficiently along the side of the hull above the water line to protect the hull. Mounted above the shock absorber cylinders and in conjunction therewith are the electric or other suitable motors 3| having their shafts 32 operatively connected by suitably housed and mounted gearing 33 with both of the sprocket shafts 22 and 23.

It will be observed that the forward ends of the deflector units are located relatively close to the side of the hull, while the rearward ends of the deflector units are relatively greatly spaced from the side of the hull so as to be outside of the forward end of the next deflector unit, whereby the deflector units diverge outwardly toward the stern of the boat, as clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

In the cases of the forwardmost deflector units 1a, these have tracks 20 and 2| angulated to conform with the contour of the bow portion of the boat as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, the forward ends of the units 1a are driven from a twin power and shock absorbing unit similar in mechanical effect to the motors and shock absorbers 29 and 3|, the unit 34 involving two motors together with their operating shafts 32a which are operatively connected to the sprockets at the forward ends of the units as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

In practice, it has been found expedient and practical to brace and thus suitably reinforce each unit, this by passing a running cable 35 around the same. Each cable is appropriately anchored and preferably located adjacent the vertical mid-portions of the angle irons I4 in the manner illustrated in the drawings. This arrangement appreciably strengthens the parts as needed.

It will be seen from the foregoing that with the outboard flights of the deflector units traveling rearwardly in the direction of the arrows, thereby presenting the deflector cushions IS in a rearwardly and outward direction, the nose of a torpedo coming in contact with the rearwardly and laterally outwardly traveling deflector bars will be turned rearwardly and away from the side of the boat, with such gentle impact relative to the boat that the torpedo will remain unexploded and pass harmlessly to the rear or astern of the boat, and leave the boat uninjured. The deflector units are driven at suitable speeds in accordance with their construction and arrangement, to

effectively deflect the torpedoes as described' which would otherwise injuriously contact tlie sides of the hull of the boat. I

Although there is shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that it is not desired to limit the application of the invention thereto, except as may be required by the scope of the subjoined claims. a

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

sprocket wheels.

2. A torpedo deflector for the hull of a boat comprising a pair of upper and lower sprocket chains adapted to extend horizontally alongside said hull, upright deflector bars of angle iron form extending between said chains, transversely triangular cushions of resilient material fitting in said bars, front and rear pairs of upper and lowersprocket Wheels around which said chains are trained, and means to mount said pairs of sprocket wheels on said hull with the rear pair spaced further from the hull than the front pair.

ALFRED ALAXANDER JUBIE. 

